Community feelings are all negative on second casino

THE Gold Coast Community has been united and articulate in relation to our long-term opposition to a second casino on public or private land or any increase in poker machine licences on the Gold Coast.

The Gold Coast has the second-highest number of poker machines in any Queensland local government area, three times more than Victoria and 40 per cent higher than Sydney.

Apart from the moral and ethical questions surrounding the imposition of a second casino on the Gold Coast community, there are several other strong reasons for it to be rejected.

1. The community has made it clear to successive Queensland LNP and ALP Governments that they will not accept the handing over of public assets to private casino interests or commercial development.

The Mayor and seven local councillors recently back-flipped on their original position opposing the use of Gold Coast public parks as potential sites for the State Government’s ‘second casino licence’.

2. Carey Park is directly opposite one of the Gold Coast’s most popular children’s playgrounds and family areas. Carey Park and other possible private sites in Southport are also within walking distance of three major schools.

3. The results of a recent ReachTel poll are definitive. More than 68 per cent of the 1250 people polled said that they do not support the construction of another casino on the Gold Coast or the inclusion of more poker machines as part of the project.

Almost 83 per cent opposed a casino on public land at Carey Park, Southport, between Australia Fair and Broadwater Parklands.

4. Clubs Queensland maintains: “A second casino on the Gold Coast will force around 30 clubs to close”.

5. Macquarie Research global analysts noted that the Gold Coast “is not the most attractive market for a new integrated resort/casino ... relative to other regions” (with The Star and 123 local licensed venues).

6. A recent Tourism Australia report revealed that over 13,389 international tourists rate casinos, bars and nightclubs as the lowest appeal at 12 per cent.

The previous LNP Government and the current Labor State Government have failed to conduct any community consultations in relation to a second casino on the Gold Coast and have not established community consent for one. DR STEVEN GRATION, MERMAID WATERS